Baitman Reports great ice in Northern Michigan 2/25/16

There is 16 inches of ice and barely any snow on top. Trucks and sleds are still going out without a problem. It is just a very bumpy ride out. We had a thaw last weekend so the ice got pretty rutted from all the traffic and then all the ruts froze, so it is rough riding out and slippery walking around out there. We have been selling ice cleats like crazy this week! The perch have moved into shallower water and nice-sized, keeper walleyes are coming in pretty frequently now compared to what we have seen earlier in the season.

The phones and e-mails rang constantly by those expecting the lakes to be open water. It did not happen. It did melt the snow! Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell have 12″ to 15″ of measured ice. No slush, just slippery. Four wheelers and an occasional compact pick-up trucks cross the lakes for those who prefer not to walk.

Saturday was blue skies, sun and breezy, perfect conditions for competition. What is fun about this type of tournament is that anyone can win. 10 anglers paid the $25 entry fee for the one hour of fishing. Every ten minutes a whistle blew and every one moved clockwise to a new hole. Only one line and bait are allowed. No electronics. The largest legal fish by length receives the 100% pay out.

A few Perch were caught up to 6″. Later a couple of gills, the largest 7″. Finally a 9″ Crappie at the closing minutes. James Cornelius has fished the Speed Tournament past years and collected the payout by landing the 9″ Crappie. Speed fishing is fun and anything can happen. Past years 6″ and 7″ Perch have won all the money.

See Pizza Plus for next years Tournament, come rain or shine they’re in.

Bring your power augers, there’s lots of ice. It’s slick on top, a wise investment would be a pair of creepers if fishing before the next snow. There’s lots of winter to go.

Buc’s Fishing Report

Saginaw Bay: Catch rates were poor over the last week. Much warmer weather moving into the state will soften the ice once again. Anyone going out on the ice will need to use EXTREME CAUTION. Spud your way out and don’t take a quad or snowmobile out. An Argo went through the ice off the Bay City State Park. A fair number of anglers at Palmer Road but catch rates were slow. The water was still murky. Anglers were fishing in 3 to 7 feet from shore ice that was still hanging on. Ice conditions were bad near the mouth of the Pine River. Some were walking out from the Bay City State Park however the ice was not good. The ice near the mouth of the Saginaw River was questionable. Some were walking out from the end of Jones Road and fishing the Hot Ponds but they reported mostly carp in there right now. Fishing off Vanderbilt Park was not good. A few crappies and bluegills were taken in the Quanicassee River and the Sunset Bay Marina. Some perch were taken off Geiger Road but ice conditions were not consistent. The Sebewaing River and marina froze over again but the ice was not safe.

Saginaw River: Did freeze again however ice safety was questionable. A few anglers were creeping out and fishing close to shore at various locations but again the ice thickness was not consistent.

Little Bay De Noc: Had few anglers and catch rates were down. Anglers are fishing as far south as Portage Point but open water starts around Breezy Point so use caution if venturing out in these areas. Ice conditions were good in the northern Bay but much thinner near Portage Point. Saunders Point had a large area of open water that just froze over and was considered DANGEROUS. Walleye catches were reported throughout the Bay but the southern waters were best. The Escanaba ship docks or just south of the Escanaba River reported fair catches when jigging rapalas or using tip-ups in 18 to 22 feet. Several large pike were also reported in this area. The best catches were between Aronson Island and Portage Point in 25 to 45 feet. Fair walleye catches between the Center and the Second Reef in 20 to 35 feet. Perch catches were down. The best area was between the Second and Third Reefs when using wigglers or mousies in 17 to 28 feet. A few nice catches were reported from the flats off Kipling in 24 feet. A lot of undersize walleye and pike were also reported in this area. The Escanaba Yacht Harbor reported good catches of perch though many were on the small side. Whitefish anglers caught fish near Gladstone when using minnows in 28 to 40 feet and off Sand Point with minnows or spawn in 80 to 90 feet.

Lake Missaukee has 10 to 12 inches of ice and the ice is safe. Call Miller’s Corner @ 231-839-0440 for latest info

Houghton Lake has 10 to 16inches of ice and pike and walleye, pike and panfish have been biting the pre spawn bite has started and bigger walleye have been caught this week. Call Angelo’s Party Store 898-202-4422 he has all his shanties out this weekend, , Four Season Party Store 989-422-5230 and H&H Fireworks (989) 366-0126, Lyman’s on the Lake 989-422-3231.

Guys are catching walleye but go small, use a blue head and keep the jig still and leave it on the bottom.

Around Traverse City Green, Duck and Long are froze and the ice is finally safe and without slush. Smelt are biting on green at both access site now with guys catching up to two hundred the last few days but they are small. Spider Lake, Arbutus, Ellis Lake, Lake Dubonnet(mud Lake) also have 6 to 10 inches

Fife Lake is froze and the perch are biting call Kathy’s Lakeside Party Store 231-879-4346 for latest info

Hamlin Lake has ice and they are fishing off of Wilson Hills with 10 to 12 inches with a great panfish bite Call Hamlin Grocery @ 231-843-2058 or Captain Chucks@ 231-843-4458

Portage Lake is froze and Perch are still on the bite with many jumbo’s being caught call Osborn’s @ 231-889-3775 or Dewey @ Don’s Sport Shop 231-735-5028 Manistee Lake just froze and there hoping by the weekend things should get started

Higgins Lake is froze they are fishing the south-end with 10 to 16 inches of ice with a great perch, pike and trout bite. There has beeb jeeps out on the ice but not recommended

The north-end ice is great. They have been fishing on 10″ to 12″ (north end) guys are going out and doing great on perch and lake trout. Call Sports Barn @ 989-821-9511 or Higgins Lake Hardware Call Brian @ 989-821-6677 both sports barn and Higgins Lake Hardware got fishbone lures in today along with the hook,line and threaders. Also Evergreen Park is handling bait and fishbones lures call them @ 989-821-5425

Lake St. Helen has 10 to 14 inches and pike, walleye, and panfish have been biting. Call Dave @ Malcomb’s Tackle Box 989-389-2100

Lake Margarethe is froze with 10 to 12 inches and quite a few guys going out and pike and walleye have been fair. Bluegill bite has been good this week. Call Skip’s Sport Shop @ 989-348-7111

Munuscong Bay: Dan’s Resort Reports the walleye bite is on!!!!!Grassy Island was the best for walleye, perch and pike. The ice east of Roach Point was in poor condition. Avoid this area. Call Dan’s Resort for latest info@ (906) 647-8753 or 906-647-8120

Lewiston Report that west Twin has 10 to 12 inches. Call Midlakes Party @ (989) 786-3227 for latest info

Fletcher Floodwater has ice 10 to 12 inches. The flood feast is this week Call A1 Party Store for the latest info @ (989) 742-4112

Pentwater Lake, is open ice is not safe. Call Pentwater angler info 231-869-5357

White Lake is froze but has open water and is not safe Call Johnson’s Outdoors for the latest fishing info @ 231-893-6688

Lake Skegemog had a awesome perch bite with guys getting nice messes of perch, the lake is in good shape with many fisherman tying there luck. ., Manistee lake is 10-16 inches and has a fair bite call Jack’s Sport@ 231-258-8892

Hesperia Sport reports that the smaller lakes have ice lots of guys heading to Fremont lake and guys are going out and but fishing has been slow call 231-854-3965

Baldwin area some of the guys are getting out but the ice is 8-10 inches

Wixom, Sanford, Sugar Springs, wiggins, Pratt Lake and Secord have ice but be careful and the bite has been good for pike and panfish. call Sanford Sport @ 989-687-5161 Chappel Dam Grocery (989) 426-7503 Big R’s Party (989) 435-2517

Southeast Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

Ice in Southern Michigan is not safe and you have to get above US 10 to find safe ice

Detroit River: A few perch were caught in the cuts, canals and marinas. Fish were reported in the canals around Gibraltar. Fishing is pretty much open water.

Oakland County: Both Union and Cass Lake had a good number of anglers but fishing was slow. A fair to good number of pike were caught on tip-ups or seen through the spearing holes but most were undersize. A handful of bluegills were caught in front of Dodge State Park on Cass Lake. Ice thickness varies from one spot to the next so anglers will need to use extreme caution.

Lake St. Clair: Had ice and fishing once again in areas like Fairhaven and Metro Beach but most of the lake has rather thin ice cover which will most likely be gone by Friday. Wind speed and direction will play a big role in how long the remaining ice sticks around. Anglers will need to use extreme caution and recognize that wind and warm temperatures can result in ice conditions that can change quickly. Moving ice becomes a problem and anglers may find themselves stranded on ice floe. Anglers should avoid fishing where the winds can potentially push the ice away from shore.

Harbor Beach to Caseville: Harbor Beach had open water. There was no fishing activity at Caseville or Port Austin.

Saginaw Bay: Catch rates were poor over the last week. Much warmer weather moving into the state will soften the ice once again. Anyone going out on the ice will need to use EXTREME CAUTION. Spud your way out and don’t take a quad or snowmobile out. An Argo went through the ice off the Bay City State Park. A fair number of anglers at Palmer Road but catch rates were slow. The water was still murky. Anglers were fishing in 3 to 7 feet from shore ice that was still hanging on. Ice conditions were bad near the mouth of the Pine River. Some were walking out from the Bay City State Park however the ice was not good. The ice near the mouth of the Saginaw River was questionable. Some were walking out from the end of Jones Road and fishing the Hot Ponds but they reported mostly carp in there right now. Fishing off Vanderbilt Park was not good. A few crappies and bluegills were taken in the Quanicassee River and the Sunset Bay Marina. Some perch were taken off Geiger Road but ice conditions were not consistent. The Sebewaing River and marina froze over again but the ice was not safe.

Saginaw River: Did freeze again however ice safety was questionable. A few anglers were creeping out and fishing close to shore at various locations but again the ice thickness was not consistent.

Tittabawassee River: Was not fishable due to floating ice.

Southwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

Ice conditions improved on most lakes other than the ones in Allegan and Van Buren County that received significant snowfall. Anglers still need to use extreme caution and watch the shoreline ice which may be weak in areas. Bluegills and crappie were hitting on jigs and wax worms in 10 to 20 feet. Go with very small jigs or even ice fly’s as it seems the regular size teardrops were not working.

St. Joseph River: Steelhead fishing has been good during the warm spells so look for some good action by the weekend.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Catch rates slowed during the artic chill but should rebound by the end of the week especially with runoff after the rain and melting snow. Try spawn and wax worms up near the 6th Street Dam and near the mouth of the Rogue River.

Grand River at Lansing: Look for the pike and walleye bite to improve with the warm up. Try small sucker minnows or golden shiners.

Muskegon River: Is producing a fair number of steelhead but the number of fish caught should increase by the weekend.

Upper Peninsula Fishing Report

Little Bay De Noc: Had few anglers and catch rates were down. Anglers are fishing as far south as Portage Point but open water starts around Breezy Point so use caution if venturing out in these areas. Ice conditions were good in the northern Bay but much thinner near Portage Point. Saunders Point had a large area of open water that just froze over and was considered DANGEROUS. Walleye catches were reported throughout the Bay but the southern waters were best. The Escanaba ship docks or just south of the Escanaba River reported fair catches when jigging rapalas or using tip-ups in 18 to 22 feet. Several large pike were also reported in this area. The best catches were between Aronson Island and Portage Point in 25 to 45 feet. Fair walleye catches between the Center and the Second Reef in 20 to 35 feet. Perch catches were down. The best area was between the Second and Third Reefs when using wigglers or mousies in 17 to 28 feet. A few nice catches were reported from the flats off Kipling in 24 feet. A lot of undersize walleye and pike were also reported in this area. The Escanaba Yacht Harbor reported good catches of perch though many were on the small side. Whitefish anglers caught fish near Gladstone when using minnows in 28 to 40 feet and off Sand Point with minnows or spawn in 80 to 90 feet.

Munising: Ice conditions improved with the cold weather. Some areas have “shove ice” which is ice that broke up and has slid under other sheets of ice making it somewhat difficult to drill holes. The ice around Powell Point improved so anglers had access. There is still open water in the main channel west and east of Grand Island. Fishing in general was slow. Most are targeting whitefish and splake with an assortment of eggs, wax worms and minnows. The fish are running small 10 to 12 inches and were found in 50 to 60 feet. Some legal size splake were caught in 70 to 80 feet however anglers were putting in their time to catch them. Those fishing at night were targeting burbot.

Cedarville and Hessel: Perch fishing improved, especially if one moves around. Splake fishing was good in Wilderness Bay. Be aware of thin ice from Middle Island to the south. Smelt are working the best for perch and splake. Muskie Bay is still quite slow for perch but good for pike.